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The Lion, the Artist, and the Mural (storyline)/Recaps (summary)

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Chapter 1 Recaps

02.04.2024

Bastaesil Hemstead arrived in North Market looking for a Taladorian artist and his daughter. She had posted a sign earlier in the day noting that they'd be arriving this afternoon. Unfortunately, they hadn't arrived yet and there was concern from some that maybe the weather had delayed them, while others were concerned it was the travel. Bastaesil went off to see if her Uncle had heard of them being delayed, while a group of adventurers went off to double-check the roads leading in from the north. They arrived in Cairnfang forest as a group of bandits were setting up the pair, and quickly escorted them out of the woods and into Vornavis. Interestingly enough, they were hounded all the way to the Gates of Vornavis before the bandits ceased, someone calling from the woods that they needed to stop their attack or the "Talon" would have their head for crossing the bridge.

Once in North Market, the group was met by Bastaesil who informed them that the Guild had found lodging for them with a local family. Lady Ba'Thira would be housing them in her Vornavian home for the duration of their stay.

Tshomlin, the artist, asked for a renegotiation of the terms, stating that he would need supplies for the project. Bastaesil offered to take a list to the local suppliers, but he insisted that he was particular about his needs and would want to pick them out himself. She grudgingly agreed to the terms and then offered to take them to Lady Ba'Thira's house. Tshomlin declined, asking that she take his daughter instead.

Once gone, Tshomlin asked what the local game was like. At first misunderstanding that he wasn't speaking about hunting, the artist clarified he was looking for gambling games. Several inquiries were made about his previous work and he mentioned he'd done work in the Capital of Talador before the fall. He listed two pieces, stating he'd painted Kuligar Gardane and done a piece in Doggoroth Keep of a clan of Dwarves. At some point, someone made a joke about dicing causing someone to fall and Tshomlin said that he needed to be careful as he couldn't leave his daughter without two parents. He briefly shared, growing more maudlin as he did, that his wife had died during the fall of Talador while he and his daughter were out of the barony. Her name was Alarranne. He spoke poetically about her talent and beauty. Taking another of the brews that had been offered from the ground, he decided to head off but not before asking where the local watering holes were.

Moments later, Akinir came looking for him but missed him. She wanted to remind him to tell everyone about the meeting the next evening so that they could learn about the Lady Kasendra from locals. She asked that they not tell him she'd shared the information, instead asking them to state that Miss Hemstead gave the reminder. She was asked which of her father's pieces of work were her favorite and after a bit of hemming and hawing, she said she was. There was talk of asking him to share his portrait of her for the local gallery and she quickly corrected stating that all his work was lost in the Bleak. She rushed off to take a bath.

02.05.2024

Akinir Scallabrini arrived to the zoo a bit late. She was clean and well dressed, though she was concerned that Lady Ba'Thira would be upset that she got a little blood on her new shirt when she fell down some steps. She was a bit nervous to be healed, but submitted with a firm insistence by Lady Meril. She apologized to those gathered that her father couldn't make it as he was feeling poorly due to a bump on the head, which she insisted he must have sustained during the bandit attack in the forest. She ensured everyone that she took care of him, mentioning that she put him to bed with bread and water, and that all would be fine in the morning. She insisted he would be alright.

Akinir then requested that everyone tell her about the Lady Kasendra so that she could get the information to her father. She said she'd take very careful notes, and eventually it was decided -- since she didn't want to sit on the ground in her new skirt -- that everyone sound adjourn to Communitea.

Once there, folks shared details of Lady Kasendra with the young woman. Lord Mynon took the lead, sharing the most, while others filled in details.

Folks kept trying to feed her things, but she insisted she was fine. And when she was asked if she wanted a seat, she insisted that the seats were for grown ups and that "The gods gave me two good legs for standing." At one point, she grew angry when someone asked if she was painting the mural, insisting over and over that she never said such a thing and that her father was the painter. She frequently promised that he would get it done.

At the end of the evening she wandered off with a cleaning formula for the shirt, a head full of everyone's shared memories of the Lady Kasendra, and mumbling plans to presumably share with her father.

02.06.2024

Rumors abound in Solhaven. Ask Mabel about NEWS to find out more.

Mabel - Wandering North Haven - to read her rumors, click here.

Gertie - Located on Bayside Road in Solhaven - to read her rumors, click here.

Kahlyr - Located in Kahlyr's Precious Gems - to read her rumors, click here.

Walsor - Located in North 'Haven Pawnery - to read her rumors, click here.

Old Sailor - Located on Bayside - to read his rumors, click here.

Priestess - Located in Lorminstra's Memorial Garden - to read her rumors, click here.

02.08.2024

Akinir was found in the zoo working to clean one of the walls of the Aquarium where several blue-green tiles had been removed to make way for the mural to be painted.  She was questioned about the whereabouts of her father and made an excuse that he wasn’t feeling well.  She claims he was okay during the day and working with her but later became ill.

A few adventurers talked about helping with the wall, one jumped in, but Akinir was concerned that her father wouldn’t get paid if others did the work.

She said she was worried and then went on to say that she didn’t want to upset the Lady Ba’Thira but she knew that the Lady had fired her cook for the wrong reasons.  She overheard the Lady arguing with someone about forcing a young girl that should be in school to do work and then, the cook was fired.

She also was worried because some of the Lady’s things were missing, including a bronze monkey that the Lady’s late husband had gifted her.

She was encouraged to speak to the Lady and set things straight, but before that conversation could go very far, a voice in the shadows asked her to come away with them.

The voice shared that he was “the Lion of Crooked Way” and that the father owed him two million silvers in debt at an interest rate of 7% a day.   Leothonel asked Akinir to go with him to ensure that the father would pay.

The adventurers rather quickly figured out what that meant and encircled Akinir.  The “Lion” decided it was time to make them give her up and an invasion of bandits, thugs, pirates, and rakes ensued.

Akinir was secreted away to Vornavis and brought to Oleander house while the streets were cleared of the unruly mob trying to capture her.

Eventually, the Vornavian guard caught wind of what was happening and sent guards out into the streets to help with the cleanup.

Dame Jarnsaixa found a group of adventurers at the Esplanade Gates and another set on Dondraek.  She asked those there to fill her in and to also send her a report.

A plan was made to get guards to protect Lady Ba’Thira’s home and then to bring Akinir there.

While the larger group was talking to Lady Ba’Thira, Akinir opened up about a few things with those still around.

She admitted to slipping her father a sleeping draught so that he wouldn’t go out for the night because he’d been drinking very heavily the night before and that was the real cause of his sickness.  She tucked him away in a makeshift bed in Lady Ba’Thira’s attic.

Jarnsaixa returned having secured guards and walked Akinir to the Lady’s House and guarded safety.

02.09.2024

Rumors abound once more in Solhaven! Ask Mabel about News!

[OOC Note: Mabel and two others have been updated, one person has been left as they have important information unrelated to last night's events. Others have also been updated.]

Mabel - Wandering North Haven - to read her rumors, click here.

Giantman Worker - Salter's Workyard - to read his rumors, click here.

Dibbles - wanders around South Haven selling Fishcakes - to read his rumors, click here.

Prietess - Stays in Lorminstra's Memorial Garden - to read her rumors, click here.

Red - Sells boats at Fisherman's Quay - to read his rumors, click here.

Maellyn Kedy - She owns the fabric shop in South Haven - to read her rumors, click here.

Sailor - He hangs out on Bayside Road - to read his rumors, click here.

02.10.2024

Lady Ba’Thira arrived outside the Dragonsbone tent in South Haven looking for Tshomlin.  She explained that she was to meet him and when pressed admitted that she was paying the man off so that she could provide care for Akinir.  She wanted to get her legally and firmly in her household so that she could enroll her in school.  She admitted to having kicked him out of the house due to a disagreement.

Tshomlin arrived looking no worse for wear and accepted the coin purse from Lady Ba’Thira.  A disagreement happened immediately, as he had committed another con, but this time with the lady’s heart and coin.  He was determined to win back his coin with the money that the Lady provided and repay her.  He absolutely refused to relinquish his parental rights.

After he entered the tent, the Lady departed, under guard, back to her home.  She was most distraught.

Tshomlin was dogged from the moment he entered the tent and lost badly.  He managed to win one round, but then immediately lost the win.  Something in the tent spooked him, for he departed abruptly and couldn’t be tracked.

As a search began for Tshomlin, Lady Zieschka, the newest member of the Merchantyle Guild, arrived and greeted everyone.  She was a little taken back by the crowd and the news that they shared.  However, she did come up with a plan with those adventurers that were present.

The mural was to have its first marker set on Volnes and a meeting with the Guild and the Scallabrinis was to have taken place.  Zieschka was going to let the Hemsteads know the lay of the land and that folks believed Akinir was the real artist.  She was then going to ask Dame Vargrdoittr to provide some hidden security within the zoo to keep whom every showed up safe.  She was also going to hide some spies there to see who was actually working on the mural.

Zieschka made it sound like a simple affair to change the contract over to the daughter and to fire the father.

02.12.2024

Jillou showed up at Bobo’s Toy Park to do some fishing today. She admitted she was skipping school but she had some fairly sound logic for the reason. She needed to practice fishing. She later admitted that she didn’t want to go in because they were learning about the scary stuff in history, which made her not sleep.

There was some discussion on how other Nations send kids to school very young for discipline but Jillou matter-of-factly stated that Marshfolk don’t live long enough to reach retirement age and so they need to do those things when they are young. Later on, when asked if she promised to go back to school tomorrow, Jillou said that she would because she had to learn how to do the numbers. She stated that the guy doing them for her dad seemed to be doing things wrong because they seemed to be making less and less, even though they were serving more and more.

She described the guy and couldn’t remember his name, though when someone said Leothonael she admitted that was him. She will talk to her Paw Paw about it but tell him to go to Master Hemstead because they pay into the Merchantyle Guild just like all the other shops and should be getting some protection, too.

OOC Note: Fishing is now live in Solhaven! You can fish off the boats in the bay, but you can also fish from the following locations:

  • Center Market Bridge
  • North 'Haven Quay
  • End of each OSA Pier
  • Charl's Quay
  • Fisherman's Quay
  • End of North Market Pier
  • End of Fishmarket Pier
  • Bobo's Toy Park

02.12.2024 - Later that day...

A commotion loud enough to be heard in the North Market brought adventurers to the zoo where Zieschka and Bastaeli were arguing with Tshomlin over the mural.  Lady Danalla Ba’Thira was hovering protectively around Akinir as the group argued.

Tshomlin’s hand was wrapped and when questioned about it, he said that he’d injured it in a painting accident.

Zieschka pointed out that they’d been watching the progress of the mural all day and knew that he’d not even so much as lift a piece of chalk to help Akinir produce the outline that was there now.

Akinir finely relented under pressure and admitted that she’d been doing the work and trying to make things right by her father.  Tshomlin was rather unkind to his daughter at that point and demanded she stop saying things. She told him she liked feeling safe at night and having a full belly.  He continued but then seemed to get spooked and hurried away.

Bastaeli and Zieschka told Akinir that the contract was hers alone if she wanted it and Lady Ba’Thira offered to let her stay with her for as long as she liked.

Bastaeli and Zieschka went off to speak to the Guild about the issues at hand, and to speak of writing up a new contract to ensure Akinir got the payment alone.

Lady Ba’Thira went off to make arrangements, while Akinir stayed close to the adventures as they offered her comfort, compassion, and advice.  Eventually, Lady Ba’Thira returned and took Akinir back to the house to rest before returning to the mural.

Chapter 2 - Recaps

02.13.2024 - Rumors Abound

Rumors are all over Solhaven again regarding the events of the past few days. Find Mabel so that she can set you on the right path.

Rumors are all over Solhaven again regarding the events of the past few days. Find Mabel so that she can set you on the right path.

Mabel - Wandering North Haven - to read her rumors, click here.

Ol' Solt - located on Bayside Road - to read her rumors, click here.

Maellyn Kedy - located at Maellyn's Fabrics - to read her rumors, click here.

Kelph - located at Sargassa's - to read her rumors, click here.

Dibbles - Wandering South Haven - to read his rumors, click here.

Priestess - located in Lorminstra's Memorial Garden - to read her rumors, click here.

Worker - located at the Salter's Workyard - to read his rumors, click here.

Darbo - located at Darbo Phoop's Arcane Outfitters - to read his rumors, click here.

Red - located at Fisherman's Quay - to read his rumors, click here.

02.16.2024 - Scoundrels and Griffins, Oh, My!

Suddenly, a startling sensation crawls across your skin causing the hairs on your arm to stand on end.  Pressure begins to build in your ears, and the scent of ozone fills the air.

High-pitched and whining, a sound fills the air, causing the pressure within your ears to grow with a painful intensity.

Breaking the whining sound that hangs in the air, a loud boom causes the ground to tremble and though the ringing in your ears has subsided, your equilibrium feels off.

The ground shook.

A flash of crimson light, centered upon the Eastbridge, suddenly ripples across the sky, expanding outward into the surroundings of Vornavis.

Sudden quietude settles upon the Freeport, though only briefly as a single avian-like screech fills the deadening silence with its defiant cry.

Someone screams, “Oh, gods, the barrier is broken!”

The sound of dozens of animals rushing out of the zoo and through the streets of Solhaven is quickly followed by the clash of steel in battle and the angry cries of griffins.

Screams and cries fill the air as panicked citizens flee indoors.  The cries of the citizenry are punctuated by the raucous cry of griffins.

Cries ripple across the waters of the bay, as denizens of Marshtown run in terror from the looming shadows of griffins.

The cry of a young girl flares up in the middle of Marshtown, “Hey!  Shiny guys!  Thems went up ta’ tha’ broken tower!”  You hear an angry shout after the young girl’s voice dies down, and the slamming of a door.

Griffins and scoundrels flooded the streets of Solhaven, surging towards the North Market Bridge and into Marshtown as they sought freedom.  Once through Marshtown, they regrouped in the Broken Tower, only to be heavily pursued by adventurers.  Making a break for the West Road, its impossible to tell how many survived.

Lady Ba’Thira was meeting with Mister Golightly, trying to find a resolution to the issue.  Mister Golightly, a zookeeper, had closed off the gates to the zoo.  One presumes to keep those still within safe until they can be recaptured and then quickly created a method to find the animals.

Lady Ba’Thira admitted that she and Akinir were in the zoo when things began.  She said she saw Mr. Scallabrini and he had warned them, “You should leave, I found a way to crack it, but don't worry, I'm fixing everything.” She also thought she heard one of the scoundrels say something about getting the Lion.

OOC Note: The Solhaven Zoo’s largest predators have escaped!  From now until the end of Duskruin, you can help to recapture them!

Visit the zookeeper at the Main Gates of the Solhaven Zoo and collect a rod.  Then head out into the environs to find the lost animals.

Zoo animals and where they can be found
Animal Type Segment Animal Type Segment
Big Cats Forest Road & Lake Bears The Bog and West Road
Primates Vornavian Jungle & Lagoon Avians Cairnfang Forest
Canines Outlands Small Rodents Shan Vineyard

03.09.2024 - Happenings at Duskruin

Adventurers spotted Leothonel in the arena and proceeded to heckle him. He attempted to heckle back, but found the task a bit much since he was trying to survive. After a round or two, he joined adventurer's in the Cheap Seats to chat. He expressed his desire to become an adventurer, much like those present. Folks gave him advice, alternatingly grilling him on his activities in Solhaven. Here are some of the things he shared:

  • Tshomlin's Debt was paid with him. Turns out, Tshomlin stole a lion for Leothonel. The lioness, named Leona for the curious, fought alongside Leothonel in the arena.
  • He didn't know where Tshomlin was...
  • He had more excuses than "a squire" for why he was in the right and why none of what happened was his fault.
  • He claims that he never intended to cause any harm and was happy his men at deeds, though admitted that the number of his gang had dwindled significantly.
  • He says that he and his gang moved out of South Haven, though he didn't comment on where they went.

03.22.2024 - Caves, Trolls, and Spectres, Oh my!

Adventurers met with Lady Daniella Ba’Thira and Mr. Golightly, the Solhaven Zookeeper, at the gates of the zoo.  The zookeeper shared that 446 animals had been recovered, though only 386 had been missing.  He suspects that more of the smaller mammals were found than were perhaps lost.  Though, some speculation was shared by all that perhaps it was due to breeding out in the wild.

Lady Ba’Thira thanked him for his work and commented upon the zoo reopening soon, though the architects were going to be there soon to reinforce the magical barricades and to ensure that no other breaks like the recent one would happen.

She inquired if Akinir was still inside, and the zookeeper said that she had been working on the mural but that a Turamzyrrian runner had come looking for Lady Ba’Thira but found Akinir first.  He had shooed the runner away, but not before he’d had some time alone with the child. The zookeeper had assumed that she’d simply gone home.

Lady Ba’Thira confirmed that she didn’t and that she was worried about what the runner had shared. When asked, she revealed that Tshomlin had been picked up by an off-duty Turamzyrrian guard while he was gambling in Bloodriven.  Apparently, the guard has recognized him for an old wanted poster.

It would seem that Tshomlin had pulled similar antics when Akinir was young, claiming a job for artwork and then leaving the child to do the work.  His employer had called him out on it, but still paid the man for the child’s labor.  However, much as he did in Solhaven, Tshomlin’s gambling debts caused him to lose all the money, leaving him penniless for the now complete cure for his wife.  An altercation ensued and Tshomlin killed the healer, stole the cure, and left, taking Akinir, who was non-the-wiser, with him.

Unfortunately, the cure never made it to Talador as it was turned into the Bleaklands days before they could get to Akinir’s mother and Tshomlin’s wife.

Now, Tshomlin was to go before the court and expected to pay for his crimes.  Lady Ba’Thira noted that it seemed from what the runner had said that no leniency would be given as the family of the healer had suffered greatly in the absence of their caregiver.  She went on to say that she intended to petition the Vornavian court to intercede on Akinir’s behalf, hoping that instead of becoming a Ward of the Turamzyrrian Orphanages, that she’d be allowed to stay on with the lady as her caretaker.

Talon arrived on the scene with her usual acerbic comments.  While she did point out that she knew were the child was, it was not until after scolding the Lady for being lax in her protective duties.

It would appear that several children at the school yard were told about the paintings in the Sea Caves by Jillou and Akinir was there.

Indeed, Akinir was found there by the adventurers.  She was sad and looking at the ancient artwork for a connection to her feelings. Offering encouragement, the adventurers assured her that they would help Lady Ba’Thira’s petition and it seemed to perk the child up, though she greatly missed her father.

While the adventurers were with the child some unusual trolls appeared on the scene.  Concerned for her safety, they whisked her away and reunited her with Lady Ba’Thira.  Who was grateful and promised Akinir that they would discuss everything that had happened over her favorite warm drink and little cakes.  The two departed.

Shortly after, a warrior moved through the market complaining that the trolls that were currently in the cave were much stronger than usual and clearly agitated.

Adventurers returned to the cave to find several things:

·        Agitated trolls enmass in the caves, some quite powerful though all cave trolls as can usually be found there.

·        An odd oceanic spectre

·        A gurgling, hissing voice demanding that a thief return what was lost.

·        Shortly after, another coastal storm flooded the area and the caves started to flood.

After a time, the trolls were put to rest but the spectres grew in number.  The last that was heard that night, before the spectres faded away, was:

Issuing into the unnatural silence immediately following a recent thunderclap, a soft, hissing voice fills the air.  “We will find you, little thief.  We will find you, and you will pay.”

Chill winds ripple through the air, the scent of salt and brine heavy in their wake.  A watery voice calls out amid the raging storm, “You have been warned.”

03.24.2024 - Lady Ba'Thira Appeals to Vornavis

Summary from Vornavis Court

  • Odelgarde expressed interest in the recent happenings of the Sea Caves and there was a small discussion.
  • The Chamberlain read a letter from Lady Sayilla and announced that the memorial gift would be installed with the Mural that the Merchantyle Guild was constructing.
  • Meril was asked if she'd considered the invitation to the Order of the Swan.  She admitted to not knowing much about them and it was suggested she do more research.  She will be asked again at a later date.
  • Lady Danalla Ba'Thira asked the court to intercede on her behalf given the circumstances surrounding Akinir Scallabrini.  Many in court supported her and the Lady will proceed, though Magister Odelgarde must interview the child in a neutral setting to ensure.
  • Meril requested that Tshomlin be handed over to the Empath Guild for his crimes.  Odelgarden informed that statue requires the guild to represent the healer's family, though only if she was fully guilded.  She did say she would still add it to her letters.

03.31.2024 - Solhaven Zoo Reopens

The Solindago Anox has reopened.  There’s been some adjustments to the payout to balance the rooms on a “flat map” with the goal of making it look like a crab, which is the zoo’s mascot.

Several foraged item props have been introduced as well.

A mural memorializing the late Lady Kasendra Malwind has been painted upon the Aquarium walls, while the memorial sent to Vornavis by Lady Sayilla has been placed beside it.

The petting zoo is reopened.

The zoo shop has had some minor updates.

There is a place to buy postcards just inside the arch.

Lastly, a Souvenir Vendor has been added to the zoo.  She will take foraged flowers and leaves that are provided by the customer and transform them into necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, pins, and trinkets.

Afterwardsd

05.16.2024 - Gathering at the Cafe

Odelgarde met with adventures in Market so that she could gather testimonials from those that Akinir selected.  These testimonials were to be written down and given to the courts in support of Lady Ba’Thira gaining custody of Akinir.

They retired to the Café where several impassioned statements were given.

Afterwards, they went to the zoo to see the mural that Akinir had painted.

Odelgarde said she was going to capture the image with several dreamfire panels and send a set to the Tribunal, but also to the Emperor.  It was suggested as set go to Salnim, too.

While there, Odelgarde let slip that Akinir’s father had also written a letter.  She stated that it was crude and the penmanship was terrible. It had little lion flourishes on it. It was surmised that perhaps he was getting sober and his penmanship was suffering – among other unsavory things – but the letter did say he wished her to stay with Lady Ba’Thira – even if he did spell her name wrong.